Description
Taco Ranch Bites are a crowd-pleasing, bite-sized appetizer featuring crispy phyllo shells stuffed with creamy, ranch-seasoned taco beef and gooey cheddar cheese. These delicious, two-bite snacks are ready in just 20 minutes—making them perfect for parties, gatherings, or whenever you’re craving a bold, Tex-Mex inspired treat.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Taco Filling
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chiles, drained
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
For Assembly
- 2 boxes (15 count each) mini phyllo tart shells
- Optional: sliced green onions or extra ranch dressing, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Brown the Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned and fully cooked, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain excess grease to avoid soggy filling.
- Flavor the Filling: Stir in the taco seasoning and drained diced tomatoes with green chiles. Simmer the mixture for about 5 minutes so the flavors meld. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly to avoid melting the cheese prematurely in the next step.
- Combine with Cheese & Ranch: In a large mixing bowl, combine the slightly cooled beef mixture with the shredded cheddar cheese and ranch dressing. Stir well until the filling is creamy and evenly combined.
- Fill the Phyllo Shells: Arrange the mini phyllo tart shells in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Spoon a generous tablespoon of the taco ranch filling into each shell, filling them to the top.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven. Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the phyllo shells are golden and crispy.
- Garnish & Serve: Remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes. If desired, garnish each bite with sliced green onions or a drizzle of extra ranch dressing. Serve warm.
Notes
- You can prepare the beef filling up to a day in advance and refrigerate until ready to assemble and bake.
- Try swapping ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- Feel free to add chopped jalapeños or hot sauce to the filling for extra heat.
- These bites are best served warm for maximum crispiness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bite
- Calories: 145
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 20mg